Judith Hoffberg

We have the very sad responsibility to report that Judith Hoffberg passed away peacefully at home on Friday, January 16, 2009 after a short battle with leukemia.

In 1972, Judy, along with a group of notable librarians founded the Art Libraries Society of North America at a meeting in Chicago, serving as its first chairman in 1973. With her boundless energy, she edited the ARLIS/NA Newsletter from 1972 to 1977 and served as the society’s executive secretary from 1974 to 1977. She founded Umbrella Associates in 1978 and began issuing Umbrella, “… which is a new vehicle for art news, review and resource information.” Judith published the last issue, volume 32, no. 3, Dec. 2008, knowing it would be the last issue.

Judy had an insatiable appetite for being involved: going to exhibitions, participating in conferences, giving lectures, and communicating with colleagues via Umbrella. Demanding, stubborn, funny, thoughtful, passionate, high standards, and intellectual curiosity are all words one can use to describe Judy.

There will be no funeral, but a local memorial service is being planned. As more details are available, including addresses for condolences, we will update you. The Indianapolis Conference Committee is already planning something for April.

Judy touched many, many lives in several worlds, and she will be missed in all of them.

I was deeply saddened to hear of Judith Hoffberg’s passing. She was one of the most extraordinary people I have known. As an art historian, I was fortunate to work with her to bring “Women of the Book” to two different universities. Her work and attitude toward life should serve as an example to us all.